The Brian Auger Interview

TL;DR

Brian Auger, a renowned musician, shares his musical journey, from his idols to his self-taught approach and the impact of various genres on his career.

Transcript

foreign very good how are you I'm so thrilled to even speak to you on the phone I have a YouTube channel that's called Dr Mix where I show synthesizers and and things of that nature and that you know gave me an occasion to fly here for Nam yeah it's very cool I am available this afternoon fantastic ah and I know that you have some tremendous musica... Read More

Key Insights

• ▶️ Brian Auger's musical journey was heavily influenced by self-teaching, starting with his experience playing a piano during the war.
• 🫀 The Hammond organ became a defining instrument for Brian Auger after hearing Jimmy McGriff play it on a record.
• 🔔 Brian Auger faced challenges in finding the right sound for his organ in live performances, but his innovative approaches led to unique and iconic sounds.
• 🇦🇸 Collaborations with musicians like Herbie Hancock and Earth Wind & Fire played a significant role in Brian Auger's success and helped him gain recognition in the American music scene.
• 🎧 Brian Auger emphasizes the importance of listening to oneself and staying true to one's music, as well as recognizing that music is meant for entertainment, not competition.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Brian Auger become a self-taught musician?

Brian Auger was sent away during the war and stayed with a family who had a piano. He taught himself how to play and developed a love for music from an early age.

Q: What inspired Brian Auger to play the Hammond organ?

After hearing Jimmy McGriff play the organ on a record, Brian Auger fell in love with the sound and decided to pursue playing the Hammond organ.

Q: What challenges did Brian Auger face in his music career?

Brian Auger struggled with finding the right sound for his organ in live performances. He experimented with different setups, including using a Vox PA system, to achieve the desired volume and distortion.

Q: Who were some of the musicians Brian Auger collaborated with?

Brian Auger toured with artists like Herbie Hancock, Earth Wind & Fire, and Bunny Brunel's band. He had positive experiences working with these musicians and formed lifelong friendships.

Key Insights:

• Brian Auger's musical journey was heavily influenced by self-teaching, starting with his experience playing a piano during the war.
• The Hammond organ became a defining instrument for Brian Auger after hearing Jimmy McGriff play it on a record.
• Brian Auger faced challenges in finding the right sound for his organ in live performances, but his innovative approaches led to unique and iconic sounds.
• Collaborations with musicians like Herbie Hancock and Earth Wind & Fire played a significant role in Brian Auger's success and helped him gain recognition in the American music scene.
• Brian Auger emphasizes the importance of listening to oneself and staying true to one's music, as well as recognizing that music is meant for entertainment, not competition.
• Being a musician has taught Brian Auger important life lessons and he is grateful for the experiences and opportunities it has provided him.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Brian Auger is a musician with a YouTube channel called Dr Mix, where he showcases synthesizers and other instruments.

• He had the opportunity to meet his idol, Brian Auger, and visit his house, where they discuss and play musical instruments together.

• Brian Auger is a self-taught musician who was influenced by various genres, including jazz, rock, and R&B.